Doctor won't give me Propranolol

[bernieaa]

Not sure why as Google says it's ok. 22 weeks pregnant and having panic attacks

I take 3x40g propranolol per day for migraine. During both of my pregnancies/breastfeeding, I stopped taking it on the advice of my doctor so I don't think the advice your doctor has given is unusual. I suffered more with headaches and migraines but preferred this to taking any risks.

@bellac11 my panic attack has lasted for four hours today..... could have nipped it in The bud and got on with my life. But I can't.

And what happens is now I think about another one happening, which intensifies everything....,,

That's quite a lot. I would be taking 20mg once..... not even a day.

I know that - I take it myself.

But OP hasn’t even taken it for 8 months so I don’t think she’s particularly reliant on it in a manner that proportionally justifies her outrage!

It’s not like she’s used to taking it 2-3 times a day and has now been told to go cold-Turkey.

You're getting a lot of flack on here OP.

I was on propanalol for awful migraines. My GP said it was advisable not to be on them during pregnancy, however it was a risk v benefit situation and my migraines are hemiplegic, debilitating, and would have left me unable to care for my baby for weeks on end.

Whilst pregnant, I spoke to my Obstetric Consultant, and they advised that I would need regular growth scans and baby would need blood sugars once born.

His growth scans were fine, despite the propanalol and then unrelated Pre Eclampsia, and his blood sugars were perfect. He's now 11 mo and is a happy, thriving little bundle of mischief.

We cannot test meds on pregnant women, it's unethical, so there has to be a risk v benefit discussion and for you to make an informed decision.

They can see from past pregnancies and studies..... so they wouldn't be doing blind drug tests.

I'm already booked for extra scans due to bmi.

I also don't need the medication every day..... not even every week.

@bernieaa

Not sure why you bothered asking Mumsnet as you had already made the decision to take the drugs before you posted the question.

You are choosing to ignore replies or questions from people who are offering sound advice that doesn't sit well with you. It's been such painful reading following this thread.

Do what you want to do and deal with any consequences that may come up later. It seems like that's been your intention all along.

I can't watch this thread any longer. It's painful.

If I made the decision why would I be on this thread and not just taking the medication?

Why are you still on the thread? 🤷🏻‍♀️ You've already ignored medical advice.

I was taking propranolol before I got pregnant and have continued to do so when needed (anxiety). I told my midwife at my first appointment and she didn’t bat an eyelid. The nhs website says it’s not thought to be harmful but may affect baby’s growth in late pregnancy. Sorry not read the full thread as it’s really long (and not very supportive!) but have you asked your midwife for their opinion?

Pharmacists are the specialists on drugs NOT GPs.

This, about practically every drug in the BNF. Drug trials rarely involve pregnant women as the risk is to high. Most known information is anecdotal ie women on the drug, becoming pregnant and for whatever reason (eg not realising they were pregnant) staying on it.

The only times they would go against it would be if the benefits were more than the potential risks.

is there any easy you could learn techniques to manage your anxiety without meds eg CBT or mindfulness?

Ps you could ask your GP for a referral to perinatal mental health services as they are the experts x

Please seek a second opinion, preferably from an obstetrician. GPS are useless when it comes to pregnancy imo.

The consultant I spoke to and who recommended I continue with a drug said it was very important to keep mums mental health under control. They'll be best placed to say whether you can continue or suggest an alternative.

As explained before I'm already with them
And gp has contacted them

I never get to contact my midwife..... you have to call community and they I think will fob me of to perinatal or gp

I was on metoprolol both times, I was kept on a beta blocker until I was done having kids as ACE/ARB (which would otherwise have been preferred for me) are known to be dangerous in pregnancy. No GDM, kids fine. There was some reason my doctor preferred metoprolol to labetalol (which is the best tested drug of this type) but I cannot remember it now sorry!

however it goes back to risk/benefit: the risks of unmanaged hypertension are bigger than forgoing migraine prophylaxis (another example given). But a doctor might judge differently for a medication when used for treatment rather than prophylaxis.

I do agree that GPs are not always fully knowledgeable about medications in pregnancy and therefore defer to caution. I have personally seen obstetric consultants approve medications GPs would not. And yes, many medications are simply not tested. A lot of this is due to the thalidomide scandal. The US dropped its old alphabetic system, but they used to divide medications by the evidence. Very few medications were the old category A, where they were proven safe in pregnancy.

Usually within 30 to 60 minutes

I got told to stop taking mine which I take for migraines when I was pregnant and tbh I'd rather not risk taking them if it could harm baby

Sorry....note to self...read the full thread!